Door control arm panic release



May 11, 1965 R. WELLS DOOR CONTROL ARM PANIC RELEASE 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed May 18, 1962 INVENTOR. ear/vow M'as BY Arrow/er May 11, 1965 R. WELLS DOOR CONTROL ARM PANIC RELEASE 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed May 18, 1962 INVENTOR. IAYMOND 44:41.5

y 1965 R. WELLS 3,182,348

DOOR CONTROL ARM PANIC RELEASE Filed May 18, 1962 's Sheets-Sheet s lllll/ll/l/ INVENTOR.

United States Patent This invention relates to a door control, and in particular, to a door control which will allow opening of a door under emergency conditions in a direction opposite to that which the door and control normally operate.

The invention is applicable to door controls, including door closers, door operators and hold-open devices, of the type having a pair of pivotally connected operating arms through which the door is connected to the door frame. In conventional door controls of this type, the operating arms prevent opening of the door in a direction opposite to that in which the door and control normally operate.

The purpose of this invention is to provide a door control of this type which will permit opening of the door in the opposite direction merely by application of force to the door to swing the door in the particular direction. To this end, the operating arms of the control of the invention are connected together by a releasable pivotal connection incorporating a latch member which engages the frame of the door and releases the pivotal connection between the arms when the door is forced open in a direction, opposite to that in which the door and control normally operate. When the pivotal connection between the arms is released, the arm connected to the door swings with the door, while the other arm remains connected to the door frame. When the door is again closed, the arms may be again connected together to allow operation of the door and control in the normal direction.

The control of the invention is normally used in conjunction with a releasable door stop which prevents operation of the door in a direction opposite to that in which the control normally operates, but which will yield to release the door under emergency conditions when a substantial force is applied to the door. The invention is described hereafter in conjunction with such a releasable door stop.

The invention and its advantages having been broadly described, a more detailed description of one embodiment of the invention is given hereafter by reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a sectional view through a door frame, showing a closer or operator mounted on the door frame and connected to the door through a pair of operating arms which are connected together through a releasable pivotal connection in accordance with the invention. The operating arms are shown in solid lines in the position they occupy when the door is closed, in broken lines in a position they occupy when the door is partially opened, and also in broken lines in a position they occupy as the door is opened in the opposite direction through the application of substantial force to the door to release a yielding door stop secured to the door and engaging the door frame;

FIG. 2 is a partial elevational View of the door and closer as shown in solid lines in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the pivotal connection between the operating arms showing the latch member engaged with the surface of the door frame;

FIG. 4 is a plane view of the pivotal connection of the operating arms as shown in FIG. 3, showing the connection partially released;

FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken on the line 55 of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a plan view, similar to that of FIG. 4, but

"ice

showing the latch member moved to a position releasing the pivotal connection; and

FIG. 7 is a perspective View, similar to that of FIG. 6, but showing the pivotal connection completely released, with the operating arm connected to the door dropped downwardly to allow movement of the arm with the door in a direction opposite to that in which the door and closer normally operate.

Referring to the drawings, and in particular to FIGS. 1 and 2, a closer or operator, generally designated by the reference numeral 16, is secured to the inner surface of a door frame F above the door opening, and is connected to the door D through a pair of operating arms 11 and 12. Arm 11 is connected to the operating shaft 13 of the closer 10, while the arm 12 is pivotally connected through a ball joint 14 to theouter end of a bracket 15 which is secured by screws 16 to the inner face of the door D adjacent the upper edge of the door.

The particular internal mechanism of the closer 10 is not shown, as the details thereof form no part of the invention. It is to be understood, however, that any suitable closer mechanism may be used, such as for example as shown in US, Patent No. 3,003,317, which will rotate the operating shaft 13 in a direction to apply a force to the door D through the arms 11 and 12 to close the door after it has been opened in the direction of the arrow A.

The door D is provided with a pivot hinge H which allows swinging movement of the door in both directions, and in accordance with the invention, the arms 11 and 12 are connected together by a releasable pivotal connection, generally designated by the reference numeral 17, which may be released to allow opening of the door D in the direction of the arrow B under emergency conditions. The pivotal connection 17 is released automatically through movement of a latch member 18 by engagement thereof with the inner surface of the door frame F when the door is opened in the direction of the arrow B.

As best shown in FIGS. 3, 5 and 7, the releasable connection 17 includes a cylindrical bushing 19 which is received in a semi-circular recess 20 formed in the outer end 21 of the arm 11. When the bushing 19 is received in the recess 20, a lower flange 22 of the bushing 19 extends below the lower surface of the end 21 and an upper flange 23 of the bushing 19 seats on a shoulder 24 formed in the upper surface of the end 21 around the recess 20. A hearing member 25, best shown in FIG. 5, is mounted in the bore 26 of the bushing 19 and seats against an integral flange 27 formed in the bore 26. The bearing member 25 is retained in the bore 26 by a suitable spring retainer 28 which is engaged in a groove formed in the bore 26 above the upper surface of the hearing member 25. The bearing member 25 is provided with a spherical socket 29 which receives a ball 31 which in turn is secured to the outer end of the arm 12. The ball 30 and the socket 29, therefore, form a ball and socket pivot joint between the arm 11 and the arm 12 when the bushing 19 is locked in the recess 29 in the end 21 of the arm 11.

The bushing 19 is locked in the recess 211 by the latch member 18, and to this end, a curved end 31 of the latch member 18 extends into a slot 32 in the end 21 of the arm 11 and is pivotally attached to the end 21 by a pivot 3 3. When the latch member 18 is in the latched position, as shown in FIG. 3, a cylindrical surface 34, best shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, provided on an enlarged portion 35 of the latch member 18 engages a portion of the outer cylindrical surface of the bushing 19 opposite that portion of the bushing 19 which is engaged by the recess 20, to thereby lock the bushing 19 to the end of the arm 11.

The latch member 18 may be pivoted to a released position, as shown in FIG. 6, to release the bushing 19 from the recess 29 and allow the arm 12 to pivot downaisases I wardly by gravity, as shown in FIG. 7. The ball joint connection 14, between the arm 12'and the bracket 15,

allows such downward pivotal movement. When the arm 12 is so disconnected from the arm 11, the door D may be opened in the direction of the arrow B in FIG. 1.

As best shownin FIGS. 4, 5 and 6, the latch 18 is releaseably held in the latched position of 'FIG. 3 by engagement of a spring pressed detent 36 in a notch 37, best shown in FIGS. 4 and 6, formed in the edge of the curved portion 31 of the latch member 18, and is releasably held in the released position of FIG. 6 by engagement of the detent 36 in a notch 33 also formed in the edge of the curved portion 31 of the latch member 18, but spaced from the notch 37. The detent 36 is slidably mounted in a bore 39 formed in the bottom of the slot 32 and is urged outwardly by a spring 40.

During normal operation of the door D in the direction of the arrow A of FIG. 1, the bushing member 19 is locked to the end 21 of the arm 11 bythe latch member 18, with the latch member 18 held'in the latched position by engagement of the detent 36 in the notch 37. The arms 11 and 12 are therefore connected together and operated in the normal manner, so long as the door is operatedin the direction of the arrow A. i

If, however, the door D is. swung in the direction of the arrow B in FIG. 1, an outer end 41 of the latch member 18 engages the surface of the door frame F, and on continued swinging of the door in the direction of the arrow B, in FIG. 1, the latch member 18 is rotated in a clockwise direction about the pivot 33, as shown in FIG, 6, until the bushing 19 is released from the recess 20 and drops bygravity with the arm 12 to release the pivotal connection between the arms 11 and 12,as

shown in FIG. 7. The door D can then be swung completely open in'the direction of the arrow B in FIG. 1, with the arm 12 still attached to the door D. V lhen the latch member 18 reaches the fully released position, the I the bushing 19 can be again inserted into the recess 20 in the end 21'0f the arm 11, and the latch member 18 pivoted to latched position locking the bushing 28 to the end of the arm 11, so that the pivotalconnection between the arms 11 and 12 is again rte-established, The closer may then operate in the normal manner during swinging of the door-.in the direction of the arrow A, as shown in FIG. 1.

It will be appreciated that it requires very little force applied to the door in the direction of the arrow B to disconnect the arm 11 from the arm 12, and to prevent unintentional release of the pivotal connection between the arms, the arrangement of the invention is normally used in conjunctionwith a panic release door stop which normally prevents swinging of the door in the direction of the arrow B in FIG. 1, but which will yield when a substantial force is applied to the door under emergency conditions, to allow opening of the door in thedirection be opened under emergency conditions in a direction.

opposite. to the direction of normal operation of the door and control. 7

While the invention has'b'een shown applied to a particular door closer. or operator, the invention may be applied to various types of door controls, including door closers, door operators/and hold-open devices. It will also be appreciated that while the latch 17 is described as engageable with the door frame, it may engage any.

suitable stationaryrpart secured to the door frame, such as for exam le, a part of the cover of the closer, and

of the arrow B. .Such a panic release door stop is gen- 7 pressed dog S which engages the inside surface ofthe door frame F to normally prevent swinging of the door in the direction of the arrow B. When a substantial force is applied to the door in the direction of the arrow B, the dog S is pivoted away from the, door frame F,

as shown in the broken lines in FIG 1,'to allow opening of the door in the direction of the arrowB.

From the preceding descriptiom-itcan be seen that.

there is provided a simple, inexpensive operating arm arrangement for a door'control which allows a doorto when the term door frame is used hereafter, it is intended to include such a stationary part.

1. In a doorscontrolshaving a pair of operating arms for connecting the door to the door frame, a pivot joint securedto one arm, a recess in the end of the other arm for receiving a portion of the outer surface of said pivot joint, a latch member pivotally secured to the other arm and movable between aposition locking said pivotjoint in said recess in the end of said other arm and a position releasing said pivot joint from said recess in the end of said other arm, and means on said latch member engageable with said door frame for pivoting said latch member to saidposition releasing said pivot joint from said recess when said door is'opened in a direction opposite .to the normal direction of operation of said control.

2 In a door control having a pair ofoperating arms for connecting the control to the door, a pivot joint secured to one arm, a recess in the end of the other arm for receiving a portionof the outer surface of said pivot joint, a latch member pivotally secured to the other arm and movable'between a position locking said pivot joint in said recess in the end of said other arm and a position releasing said pivot jointfrom said other arm, means on said latch member engageable with said door frame for pivoting said latch member to said position releasing saidjpivot joint when said door is opened in a direction opposite to the normal direction of operation of said control, and means for releasably holding said latch member in either of said two positions. y

3. A door closer having an operating shaft, a first operating arm connected at one end to said operating shaft, a

second operating arm, a bracket adapted to be secured to a door, a universal joint connecting one end of said second operating arm to said bracket, a cylindrical member, means pivotally connectingtheother end .of saidsecond operating arm to said cylindrical member, a cylindrical recess in the other end of said first operating arm for receiving said cylindrical member, a latchmember pivotally. secured to said first operating arm and movable between a position locking said cylindrical memberin said cylindrical recess and a position releasing said cylindrical member from said cylindrical recess, and means on said latch member engageable with said door frame for pivoting said latch member to said position releasing said cylindrical mem-' her when said door is opened in a direction opposite to the normal direction of operation ofsaid closer.

4. A door closer having an operating; shaft, a first operating arm connected at one end to said operating shaft, a second operating arm, a bracket adaptedto be secured to a door, a universal joint connecting one end of said second operating arm to said bracket, :a cylindrical men-.-,

ber, means pivotally conniecting the other end of said second operating arm to said cylindrical member, a cylindrical recess in the other end of said first operating arm for receiving said cylindrical member, a latch memat i ber pivotally secured to said first operating arm and movable between a position locking said cylindrical member in said cylindricalrecess and'a position releasing said a cylindrical member from said cylindrical'recess, 5 means on said latch member engageablewith said door frame for pivoting said latch member to saidfposition-releasing "said cylindrical member whensaid door isopened in a direction opposite to the normal direction of op'eration 5 of said closer, and means for releasably holding said latch member in either of said two positions.

5. In a door control for a door pivoted to a door frame, a pair of operating arms, means for pivotally connecting one end of one of said operating arms to said door for pivotal movement relatively to said door about a first axis, means for pivotally connecting one end of the other of said operating arms to said door frame for pivotal movement relatively to said door frame about a second axis which is substantially parallel to said first axis, each arm of said pair of operating arms having a second end opposed to its said one end, releasable pivotal connecting means connecting the second ends of said arms to one another and preventing separation of said arms while allowing relative pivotal movement between said arms about a third axis which is substantially parallel to said first and second axes, and releasing means operatively connected with said releasable pivotal connecting means and extending in the direction of pivotal move- References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 966,926 8/ 10 Knapp 1649 1,728,693 9/29 Moore et a1. 16-49 1,795,031 3/31 McCurdy 16-177 X 2,513,069 6/ 50 Weissinger 292-92 2,890,475 6/59 Carlson 29292 X 3,059,271 10/62 Ericksen 16-177 DONLEY I. STOCKING, Primary Examiner. 

1. IN A DOOR CONTROL HAVING A PAIR OF OPERATING ARMS FOR CONNECTING THE DOOR TO THE DOOR FRAME, A PIVOT JOINT SECURED TO ONE ARM, A RECESS IN THE END OF THE OTHER ARM FOR RECEIVING A PORTION OF THE OUTER SURFACE OF SAID PIVOT JOINT, A LATCH MEMBER PIVOTALLY SECURED TO THE OTHER ARM AND MOVABLE BETWEEN A POSITION LOCKING SAID PIVOT JOINT IN SAID RECESS IN THE END OF SAID OTHER ARM AND A POSITION RELEASING SAID PIVOT JOINT FROM SAID RECESS IN THE END OF SAID OTHER ARM, AND MEANS ON SAID LATCH MEMBER ENGAGEABLE WITH SAID DOOR FRAME FOR PIVOTING SAID LATCH MEMBER TO SAID POSITION RELEASING SAID PIVOT JOINT FROM SAID RECESS WHEN SAID DOOR IS OPENED IN A DIRECTION OPPOSITE TO THE NORMAL DIRECTION OF OPERATION OF SAID CONTROL. 